Expectations for 2016

Edit to add: I am adding comments into this post on the 21st of December 2016. Comments will be in Purple to assist with differentiation.

If 2016 is everything I want it to be, it is going to be a busy year! My expectations for 2015 was documented here. I have reviewed the year that was and now I am getting excited for 2016! As part of mindful and conscious living I am answering the same set of questions I asked myself in last year.

Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now. Denis Waitley

2016 GOALS * OBJECTIVES * EXPECTATIONS

1.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2016 to be?

To have the courage to be vulnerably me.

Rediscovering myself and my identity

Learning Christ’s unforced rhythms of grace

Rising above circumstances and shining

following through on goals I’ve been setting for years – financial goals, weight goals etc.

I’ve spent a great amount of time focussing on rediscovering me and finding healing and restoration in Christ. By grace, I have managed and still daily manage to rise above circumstances and by being a friend I shone. The ongoing goals are a work in progress, but I have come to realise that there are bigger things that require my attention and these should become the focus in my life.

2.What do you want to see, discover, explore?

See – the little things around me, really see nature, the trees changing colour, sunrises/sunsets, the stars and the moon

Discover – me

Explore – I’d love to say, the world. But that is probably not going to happen in next year – I don’t have any international trips on the horizon if something comes along I will gladly go pretty much anywhere. Especially Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, South America… Pretty much anywhere…

I would like to spend some time in my city. There are places I haven’t visited/haven’t been to recently. It is time to appreciate what is on my front porch and backyard. It is time to rise up and celebrate life.

My world was still a bit small in terms of discovering and exploring. Instead of exploring and seeing places, I have discovered the Brazilian culture and fell in love all over again with the world of Capoeira. Not only did I discover the exotic world of Capoeira, but also the disappointing and sad world of slavery and human trafficking. I am hooked and shaped by these are the two discoveries.

3.Who do you want to spend more time within 2015?

People in general. I feel like I have been hiding the past couple years. It is time to open my heart (and risk being hurt) make new friends and be open to new experiences.

I opened up my heart and life to the people around me and in turn, my life was filled with so much more than expected. One of the other blessings received in return was that the kids thrived in the singles community.

4.What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?

Logan and I nearly stopped going to Capoeira, but I am really glad we didn’t. There was no grading this year, but we had an incredible time at the end of year workshops.

I’m still going strong with my honours degree and writing the last 3 exams in February.

5.Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

I want to be kinder towards myself. I want to be seen as enthusiastic and hopeful regardless of circumstances.

I definitely managed to ace this one – I was kinder and a lot more patient with myself. This is definitely the type of quality I will try and keep in the new year.

6.What do you want your everyday life to be like?

Peaceful, calm, relaxing and full. Much less drama. Full of clarity

The start of the year was full of chaos and uncertainty. Once the kids and I moved into our own place, things settled and calm down.

7.Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?

I really don’t want to be an emotional eater anymore. I want to lean into uncomfortable or stressful moments and deal with them for what they are.

I’m going to break the cycle of emotional eating by doing the following:

Keeping busy — the more you do, the more you get done.

Writing my thoughts and frustrations. It helps me identify the emotion and often I find I am able to deal with the situation better once I can label what I am feeling. (Psycho-babble, but it pleases me)

Focusing on leaning into the discomfort instead of trying to numb it.

Breaking down goals, objectives etc. Planning.

By focusing on the things I am grateful for and making time to appreciate them

I’ve pretty much replaced emotional eating with smoking. It isn’t something I am proud of, but it is a reality.

8.What do you want to achieve career-wise?

There are a couple of big projects in progress that will be implemented in next year. The goal is to play my part and learn/develop/upskill myself in the process.

I want to complete my honours degree in Employee Wellness and make myself available for new opportunities.

Success! The projects are on-going and I am really enjoying them for the most part. Honours in progress.

9.How do you want to remember the year 2016 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?

The year I decided to be kind towards myself and my kids.

I think I will remember 2016 as the year I made a big decision, that led to a big adjustment, in the best possible way.

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About Alet Swart

Alet is the author of "hello i'm Alet", a personal blog in which she celebrates the little victories in life, while she analyses the rest. Alet is a working mom to boys, Logan and Oliver. Together they reside in Pretoria, South Africa. Read More…

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I am a Gauteng-based working-mom of two boys. This little blog is dedicated to our journey of self-discovery; personal development and learning. I believe life is a journey and I am open to sharing any tips I pick up along the way.

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Alet is the author of "hello i'm Alet", a personal blog in which she celebrates the little victories in life, while she analyses the rest. Alet is a working mom to boys, Logan and Oliver. Together they reside in Pretoria, South Africa.